The Female Quotient (The°FQ), an experience and media company focused on advancing equality in the workplace, has released°new research°in collaboration with Deloitte Global that aims to attract more women into the rapid-ly growing cybersecurity industry. Cybersecurity is one of the most stable and essential job markets worldwide, with industry revenue projected to surpass°$650 billion°by 2030, and currently an estimat-ed°four million job vacancies. Yet, women represent°just 25%°of the workforce. The FQ and Deloitte’s latest research report, POV Reimagined: Women in Cybersecurity, explores the persistent gen-der gap in cybersecurity and found that, despite the immense growth and stability in cybersecurity, 50% of young working women who express interest in cyberse-curity feel they lack sufficient knowledge about the field.
Emily Mossburg, Deloitte global cyber leader shared, “The cybersecurity indus-try is experiencing explosive growth, yet it’s facing a critical shortage of talent. It’s time to challenge the stereotypes and show women that cybersecurity not only offers the job security and growth opportunities they’re looking for, but also a chance to make a real difference in the world.” The research finds that greater parity can be achieved by quashing the myth that technical skills are required, intro-ducing cybersecurity to women earlier and implementing inclusive hiring practices. The report also comes as part of a broader collaborative campaign aimed at celebrat-ing 35 women already leading in industry, while also providing essential guidance, allowing more women to better under-stand, and harness opportunities in the ever-growing cybersecurity industry.
The findings highlight a persistent challenge: many women feel unwelcome in cybersecurity. Key findings include:
55% of women believe cybersecurity could be an intimidating industry for them.
• 51% of women don’t think there is room for someone like them in cybersecurity.
• 51% of women feel they wouldn’t fit in or be able to be themselves in the industry.
• 47% of women are concerned that cybersecurity professionals wouldn’t take them seriously. “With women now making up 25% of the cybersecurity workforce, we’ve taken a giant step forward, breaking through barriers that once held us back,” said Shelley Zalis, founder and CEO of The Female Quotient.
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